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Interview with Chris
Impellitteri
June 2009 by Julian Handley |
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Having been fortunate enough to review the
excellent ‘Wicked Maiden’ by Impellitteri, I jumped at the
opportunity to interview Chris and the guys.
Being familiar with your impressive back
catalogue, I have to say that ‘Wicked Maiden’ has claimed top spot
in my opinion as your strongest release to date. What is your
verdict, and how significant is this album after 20 years in the
history of Impellitteri the band?
“Thank you Julian, I honestly and humbly appreciate your opinion. I
would agree that this is probably one of the best records we have
done, yes...”
“Wicked Maiden” is an extension of the first Impellitteri record
entitled the “Impellitteri Black EP” actually which featured the
songs “Lost In The Rain” and “Burning”, etc…. However, this record
has a massive production, which our first record did not. In
addition I think we wanted to return to our original and slightly
aggressive side of musical performance. So there is a lot of
shredding, screaming, and speed coupled with melodic overtones and
harmony.”
To me ‘Wicked Maiden’ highlights a band
performing at the top of their game, appearing solid yet
comfortable, creating a perfect balance in all departments. It is
noticeable that owing to your obvious reputation as a guitar wizard,
it is reassuring that unlike certain other shred-meisters, you have
elected to refrain from unnecessary overblown solos, only adding the
length of solo with which each track requires. Is this something
that you were conscious of during the writing stages?
“Yes !! I always try to compliment the song when I am doing a
shredding guitar solo. I think the song must be enhanced by the
guitar masturbation, not limited by it. So, the song dictates
whether the solo can be long or short. Obviously, there are songs
where I get to shred for a long period of time, like in “Weapons Of
Mass Distortion”…. It’s lots of fun and, also, allowed by the
song!!”
Although the album took 3 years from the
writing through to the eventual release, you have certainly raised
the bar. The production and mixing is stunning with the decision to
enlist Greg Reely’s expertise certainly paying off. But what
prompted you to go with him?
“I worked with Greg on “Pedal To The Metal” too, but he only mixed
that record. For “Wicked Maiden” I brought Greg in as a co-producer,
and I think his expertise is paying off. He mixed the entire record
without any band members in the studio, too!! That in itself was
extremely hard for us… Ultimately we gave him our TRUST!! and Greg
gave us a fresh perspective……” |
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What
are your favourite tracks on ‘Wicked Maiden’, and which are likely
to be included in a live set list?
“Wicked Maiden” is my favourite followed by “Garden of Eden”… but,
in addition, we are playing many songs from the new record because
they are really fun to play live, and the fans really love these
songs already…. Moreover, we recently shot music videos for “Last Of
A Dying Breed” (so that goes in…) and “Wicked Maiden”.
The artwork to ‘Wicked Maiden’ provides
perfect packaging for what lies within, who takes the credit for
selecting the artwork, and who is the artist?
“The artist is Ann Stokes. I saw the artwork on her site and knew
immediately she had created the “Wicked Maiden” that I saw in my
mind. So, I contacted Ann and asked her if she would work with
Impellitteri. Luckily she said yes!!!!” |
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Congratulations in being asked to perform at
‘Sweden Rock 2009’, I understand that you just played last weekend
on the main festival stage in front of 35,000 revellers, would this
be the biggest audience that you have entertained in Europe?
“Hey…! It was a lot of fun, truly amazing!! Sweden was actually
FREEZING when we played, but the audience rocked. Impellitteri’s
biggest audience was probably at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, which was
65,000 people… but I loved it.”
Did you have any time to catch any of the
other bands playing the festival, and if so who?
“The bands sharing the headlining stage with us; Journey, Black
Sabbath / Heaven & Hell, Dream Theater,… yeah!” |
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Have
you any intention of bringing a headline tour to Europe in support
of ‘Wicked Maiden’, and if so what’s the likelihood of you
performing in the UK?
“Yes, we have every intention of touring the UK and doing a full
European Tour. We are currently contacting promoters to make this
thing happen!!”
It would be fair to say that melodic power
metal is as popular as ever with European bands Primal Fear,
Hammerfall and Helloween at the forefront, but is the scene becoming
as vibrant over the other side of the pond?
“The United States is very difficult to capture for any style of
music except Rap. We have lots of fans in the United States and we
are getting more popular, but it really is about being persistent
more than entering a vibrant scene.”
Whilst you are a big draw in Japan, how do
you feel that you are received over there as opposed to Europe and
America?
“We have been big mainly in The United States and Japan really. We
have never been very popular in Europe because we did not have the
support from labels or promoters. However, I hope that is changing
now..”. |
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| “In America I
was on MTV when I was really young and that gave me exposure to
millions of people. In Japan, the success seemed to grow after The
United States.”
What are your hobbies away from music?
“Gardening, shredding on the couch, hanging out with family!!”
Finally, congratulations on a top show at
Sweden Rock, and hoping to see you in the UK in the not too distant
future….
“Thank you very much !!”
“Cheers!”
Chris I.
www.myspace.com/impellitteri |
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